The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Bible Study experience

I just concluded a Bible Study at a local Southern Baptist church with a girlfriend of mine. My faith is Diciples of Christ. After going through 2 classes and being left feeling uncomfortable, I did some research into my own faith and what they believe. It became clear to me why I was feeling uncomfortable. I grew up in this church & my parents still attend it. I think I took it for granted for a long time & never really learned what it meant to follow this church. I emailed the teacher that I had great respect for her passion & I learned a lot from her & she is responsible for inspiring me to search deeper into my own faith.... but I thought I'd feel more comfortable in a class of my own faith. I never heard anything from her. My girlfriend related to me that the teacher had received the email & she didn't understand why I wouldn't want to continue to come, becuase we study the same Bible.
I'm not wanting to start any kind of flaming post. My faith teaches me to respect another's right to worship the way they choose. It was very disappointing to me, however, and helped further the stereotype of "Believe what I believe or you're wrong".

Sorry, I'm not exactly sure what you're saying here, but what I think you're getting at is the fact that there is a difference of opinion in your doctrinal views to that of the bible study class at this Southern Baptist church. Let me just say that, I've been there and I know it's hard, especially when it's a church that you've grown up in. But I would like to point out something that you have said, "I thought I'd feel more comfortable in a class of my own faith."

So you see here, that you yourself admit to being "more comfortable" in an environment of "like minded" believers. Yes? Well we all have that desire, I believe to some extent. Some of us are very comfortable as a Southern Baptist and some aren't. That's the reality of it. So I don't think it's strictly a matter of "believe what I believe or you're wrong" I think it also has to do with keeping with the doctrinal positions of that denomination. Even though I'm a Presbyterian, I can respect the fact that your church is preaching and teaching the doctrines that they believe to be the truth of scripture. At the end of the day, we all have to settle in our respective camps and even though we might believe in the same core, essential, fundamental, basic gospel message, when it comes to the rest of the bible our interpretations will vary. That I'm afraid does create communities who differ and feel more comfortable in congregating with other believers who share the same doctrinal beliefs.

As an example, would you want to worship in a church that doesn't hold to the same beliefs that you do? Or, eventually, would you move to a church who are more inline with your doctrinal convictions?

Of course, like I stated above, It wasn't too clear on exactly what you were saying here, so I could be way off base, so if I am, forgive me. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have to say, that I don't see anything wrong with a person or a family finding a church with likeminded believers. It doesn't, in my humble opinion, do us any good if we simply aren't happy with the worship, practice and preaching of a church.

By His grace alone,

Dave.

Thanks for your reply. I'm not exactly sure what I was trying to say either. I guess it was just wanting feedback from an outside party. My girlfriend & I can have some really interesting theological discussions & not be insulting to the other. I guess it was kind of a suprise to feel judged. In your post you showed tolerance for others beliefs. I wish I would have found that in that class.

Who is the God of un-comfort? Some of our greatest growth comes from being uncomfortable ... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bravo.gif" alt="" />

Dave,

Although it is certainly true that subjectively there is nothing wrong with finding a church of "like-minded believers", objectively one may "feel comfortable" but be woefully in error in what they believe. For example, I'm sure that Mormons feel much more comfortable and encourage others to worship where their doctrinal views are adhered to. Likewise, the Pharisees had mutual admiration for each other and stood together in opposing the Lord Christ. But what is far more important and one's eternal end depends upon it is this: Are you embracing the TRUTH of God or error that purports to be the truth of God?

The fact that every denomination, individual church, group and person will undoubtedly profess to hold to "the truth", only one (perhaps none) is holding to the truth and all the rest are embracing error. Thus one's lifelong quest should be to seek THE truth; "the faith once delivered unto the saints".

I will agree that there are always going to be differences among men. And in regard to what we would call the "non-essentials", we should be able to accept one another despite them. But there are "essentials" which if one fails to embrace then all one really has is self-deception in regard to salvation. One of the most hated statements among men that the Lord Christ ever uttered is, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (Jh 14:6)


In His grace,

I was raised in the Church of Christ which shares the same origin as the Disciples of Christ. Are you familiar with it?

Was there something discussed in the Bible study that was contrary to what the Disciples of Christ teach?

I know it's ok to feel uncomfortable, or alien, but I felt like I was being told that I was wrong in my own beliefs.
My church, Disciples of Christ, has a long tradition of tolerance & belief that we all have the right to interpret the Bible for ourselves. That is what I believe. My Baptist girlfriend was quick to point out that my faith was so tolerant that GLAD (gay/lesbian group) just adopted this faith as their own. In her eyes, that was a conviction of my faith. In my eyes, I saw it as my God loves without limits and we turn no one away at our church.

Hey cezhart! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/hello.gif" alt="" />

I'm very curious to know if you believe:

1) God has successfully communicated absolute truth concerning who He is and what He requires of mankind?

2) If there is such a thing called "truth", e.g., that which Jesus spoke of concerning Himself (Jh 14:6), that which He said one could come to know (Jh 8:31, 32), that which Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would guide true believers in (Jh 16:13), and that which has been delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3)?

3) If there are eternal consequences for not embracing "the truth" and embracing error, regardless of how sincere one is that they believe some truth?

In His grace,